Low Impact Exercises

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Very often, people who have not exercised in quite some time ask me what exercises they can do that would kickstart them into healthy living.  If you have no other medical issues that would prevent you from engaging in low impact exercise, here's a list: yoga, exercise bikes, walking, swimming, elliptical machines, weight training, pilates.

Pilates Reformer An Experience

Yesterday, I was treated to a private Pilates class.  Many different exercises on the reformer and 55 minutes later, I was standing straighter and taller - a most pleasant experience.  The instructor was knowlegable and pleasant, but it was my years of yoga training and athleticism that made a huge difference in the quality of the session.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  If you are interested in taking a Pilates class, make certain you do your research before you go.  Inquire about the instructor's credentials and get some opinions of the studio from those who have attended.  If all lights are 'green', I am sure you will enjoy lengthening your muscles, strengthening your core and experience a wonderful workout.  What I didn't know was this:  Joseph Pilates came from a boxing background and was put into an internment camp during WW1.  He developed the reformer from the hospital beds and the springs within the mattresses and created a machine to help rehab many an amputee....how about those apples??

Exercise To Reduce or Eliminate Your Low Back Pain

Let's face it, folks...the more physically fit you are, chances of maintaining a healthy low back greatly improve.  The key to low back health is to NOT perform exercises or activities that put stress on your back or elicit pain.  Aerobic exercises that engage the large muscle groups (arms, legs, glutes) in a non-impactful method are best.  these activities include:  swimming, cycling, ellipitical machines and power walking.  Performing these activities for a minimum of 30 minutes 5 times per week is not only wonderful for your circulation, but uses all the major muscles groups of the body that are important to good spine and low back health.  Stretching and strengthening your abdominals, pelvis, low back and quadraceps reduces the chances of injury to the low back and can help alleviate low back pain and recurrance of injuries.  Flexibility is key.  Yoga and Pilates are wonderful programs that can help strengthen your core and improve low back health.

Here's Your Healthy Tip of the Day:  Before engaging in any new aerobic program, consult your physician to ensure the activities are right for your aerobic/orthopedic level.  Be smart!  Do some sleuthing and ask for referrals when choosing a trainer or exercise studio.  Make sure the instructors are well-certified and ask to take a free trial class.  If you are not comfortable with the instructor or level of activity, then STOP and LEAVE!  Improper form or the wrong type of activity can worsen any condition, so do your homework.  And remember....ACUPUNCTURE HAS BEEN RECOGNIZED BY THE WHO (WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION) TO REDUCE AND/OR ELIMINATE THE SYMPTOMS OF LOW BACK PAIN.  That being said...call or make an appointment today!